Shaolin Kung Fu

Author: Jirong Zhang/Category: shaolin

WHAT IS SHAOLIN KUNG FU?
The Shaolin order dates to about 540 A.D., when an Indian Buddhist priest named Bodhidharma (Tamo in Chinese), travelled to China to see the Emperor. At that time, the Emperor had started local Buddhist monks translating Buddhist texts from Sanskrit to Chinese. The intent was to allow the general populace the ability to practice this religion. This was a noble project, but when the Emperor believed this to be his path to Nirvana, Tamo disagreed. Tamo’s view on Buddhism was that you could not achieve your goal just through good actions performed by others in your name. At this point the Emperor and Tamo parted ways and Tamo travelled to the nearby Buddhist temple to meet with the monks who were translating these Buddhist texts. Tamo went to a nearby cave behind Shao Shi Mountain and meditated for 9 years without movement until the monks recognized his religious prowess and admitted him.

Legend has it that he bored a hole through one side of the cave with his constant gaze; in fact, the accomplishment that earned his recognition is lost to history. When Tamo joined the monks, he observed that they were not in good physical condition. Most of their routine paralleled that of the Irish monks of the Middle Ages, who spent hours each day hunched over tables where they transcribed handwritten texts. Consequently, the Shaolin monks lacked the physical and mental stamina needed to perform even the most basic of Buddhist meditation practices. Tamo countered this weakness by teaching them 2 systems of meditation 1) Ligaments and tendons washing – known as Iron Shirt Qigong, 2) Marrow & bone washings – known as Zen meditation, this has been the legendary tradition of Shaolin Kung Fu. Shaolin Kung fu flourished during the Tang Dynasty as the Emperor Li Shi Ming allowed the Shaolin Temple to have 1200 martial arts monks as a special reserve army for the nations defence with the precept of Meat and Wine being removed for the first time.

THE TEACHING OF SHAOLIN KUNGFU
The teachings have various forms, the one that stands out the most is the 18 Arahan form, symbolizing the settings of Buddha. The state of achievement was realization of emptiness, in all Dharmas, and has gone beyond the ocean of suffering from craving and adversion……

I received many requests to ask me to teach Shaolin Kung Fu and I have become very cautious now a days in selecting my Kung Fu students. Someone really want to learn Kung Fu from me may need to make their request in such a way ”Master Jirong Zhang, I would like to learn Kung Fu from you for the high purpose of…………….” E.g. to be healthy and mindful ….help to protect families and friends, as a means of helping people to eliminate the suffering from drugs, smoking, alchohol and any unwanted addictions or habits. Yes! A high purpose is needed to learn Kung Fu in order to experience the feelings of mind-body blessing, physical precisions, great self control …..